Thato Toeba Explores Archives and Democracy Program (Lesotho)

Gasworks offers a residency for artist Thato Toeba, running from 30 September to 15 December 2026 in London (United Kingdom). The residency supports the artist to experiment with puppetry and robotics for collage, and to research democracy and parliamentary systems with attention to political contexts including Southern Africa. The residency is supported by the Artworkers Retirement Society. This residency is designed to support artist research and experimentation through new approaches to existing practices. The page states that Thato Toeba’s work reenacts and reconfigures history, critiquing and refusing the archive as a neutral technology for remembering and imagining. At Gasworks, the artist will experiment with puppetry and robotics to introduce movement into collage. In London, the residency also includes research into the making of democracy and parliamentary systems, focusing on political meetings and decisions that shaped a “current ethic of governance” in other contexts, especially Southern Africa. The residency also engages with the city and with people living in London, as well as the Gasworks community, asking how marginalized groups (“othered” and “peripherised”) enter political and cultural centres. The residency is explicitly stated as being supported by the Artworkers Retirement Society. No further details about financial support, award limits, or cost coverage are provided on the supplied page. Eligibility criteria for applicants are not specified in the source. The page is written as a description of the residency for Thato Toeba rather than as an open call. The following details about the artist are provided in the source: No information is provided on whether this residency is open to external applications or how candidates might be considered. The page describes the residency’s intended workstreams rather than a formal list of call themes: This residency supports an artist-led approach that combines artistic material practice (collage, photography) with new media tools (puppetry/robotics) to explore movement and frequency. It also positions artistic research within a broader inquiry into democracy, parliamentary systems, and historical governance narratives, with emphasis on contexts linked to Southern Africa. For NGO professionals, cultural practitioners, and arts researchers, the described structure highlights how residencies can link studio experimentation with public-facing civic and historical questions. The supplied page does not provide an application procedure, eligibility requirements for applicants, required documents, or an application link. Because the source is focused on a specific residency participant (Thato Toeba) and does not describe submission steps, the application instructions are Not specified in the source. To apply (if applications are available), readers should check Gasworks’ official “Opportunities” or the specific residency call page, which is not included in the supplied text. Not specified in the source. General guidance based on the provided content would be speculative, as the page does not describe submission requirements or selection criteria. What is the Thato Toeba residency at Gasworks? It is a Gasworks residency (supported by the Artworkers Retirement Society) for artist Thato Toeba, planned for 30 September to 15 December 2026 in London, focused on experimentation with puppetry/robotics and research into democracy and parliamentary systems. Where does the residency take place? The source indicates the work in London, United Kingdom. (The page does not provide a specific venue beyond Gasworks context.) When is the residency scheduled? The residency dates are listed as 30 Sep – 15 Dec 26 (interpreted from the source as 30 September 2026 to 15 December 2026). Is there a funding amount for participants? A funding amount is Not specified in the source. The page only states that the residency is supported by the Artworkers Retirement Society. Is this residency open for applications? The source does not say whether it is open. It presents the residency in connection with Thato Toeba and does not include any application process—so openness and eligibility for applicants are Not specified in the source. How do I apply? Application steps and submission links are Not specified in the source. Readers should consult the relevant Gasworks opportunity page (not provided in the supplied article text). What activities will the artist carry out? The artist will experiment with puppetry and robotics to introduce movement into collage, and conduct research in London on the making of democracy and parliamentary systems, with particular reference to contexts including Southern Africa. Review the official Gasworks residency information and any linked “Opportunities” guidance for the residency format you need. Since the provided source does not include application instructions or eligibility for applicants, confirm whether there is an open call and use the official guidelines for the correct submission process.